CHICAGO: July 18, 2017. United Airlines has reported a 39.1 percent increase in net profit to US$818 million for the second quarter 2017 on a 6.4 percent rise in revenue to US$10 billion compared to the same period last year.

Revenue from Cargo rose 22.1 percent in the quarter to reach US$254 million and 18 percent in the first half of the year to total US$474 million. United expects its 2017 capacity to increase 2.5-3.5 percent year-over-year.

"The positive financial and operational performance this past quarter demonstrates that United is firmly on the right path," said CEO Oscar Munoz. "No single quarter constitutes a trend and we still have much further to go before we fully realize the potential of this airline and exceed the expectations of our customers. But, we also know that one success begets another and the strong financial and operating performance we posted this quarter adds to the momentum that all of us here at United are determined to build upon."

In the second quarter the airline took delivery of six B777-300ER aircraft and will add four more in 2018; deferred delivery of four A350 aircraft due to arrive in 2018; and converted 100 of its current B737 MAX orders to B737 MAX 10 aircraft for delivery in late 2020.

In a related announcement IATA and Airlines for America, of which United is a member, have launched a campaign to reduce mishandled bags. Annually, more than four billion bags are carried by airlines globally with less than 0.43 percent misplaced.

According to U.S. Department of Transportation figures, 13 U.S. airlines earned US$1.027 billion from baggage revenue for the first quarter of 2017 – United reported US$169.9 million; Delta, US$203.5 million; and American, US$272.8 million.

U.S. airline baggage revenue for 2016 totaled US$4.17 billion with American topping the list at US$1.11 billion followed by Delta at US$872.4 million and United with US$690.4 million.

IATA says by June next year its member airlines have committed to being able to track a bag from acceptance to arrival and share the information as needed.

"Over the last decade we have reduced mishandled baggage by 54 percent," noted IATA global head of Baggage Andrew Price. "Tracking bags will, enable proactive reporting, speed up aircraft readiness for departure, facilitate the automation of baggage processes and also reduce fraud," he added.